Hello friends this is Doug Batchelor. How about an amazing fact? Simon Bolivar was South America’s greatest General. He is known as the great liberator because his victory against Spain won independence for Venezuela, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, and a country that bears his name. Bolivia. In 1824 after Bolivar helped Peru win its’ freedom from Spain; the great General called for an assembly to draft a Constitution for the new country. After the convention a delegation approached Simon Bolivar and asked him to become their first President. He gracefully declined saying he felt someone else deserved the honor more than he. But, the people still wanted to do something special for Bolivar to show their appreciation for all he had done to free them from the oppression of Spain. So they offered him a gift of a million pesos. A fabulous fortune in those days.
Bolivar graciously accepted the gift, but then he asked how many slaves were in Peru? He was told there are about three thousand. And how much does a slave sell for he wanted to know. About 350 pesos for an able bodied man was the answer. Then I will add whatever is necessary to these million pesos you have given me and I will buy all of the slaves in Peru and set them free. He added it makes no sense to free a Nation unless all of its citizens are free as well.
Friends the Bible teaches that Jesus came into this world to set the captives free. Are you truly free? Stay with us friends we are going to learn more as “Amazing Facts” brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live”.
[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]
Pastor Doug: Welcome friends and the fact that you are hearing my voice means that God has hopefully arranged this appointment and you are designed to be learning from the word of God and that is going to be our study tonight and every week. This is “Bible Answers Live”. It is a live, interactive, International Bible Study. And we invite you to participate by listening, praying for us as we do our best to answer questions or call in your Bible questions.
The number and it is a free phone call in North America. The number is 1-800-GOD-SAYS or 1-800-463-7297. Right now we still have about 4 lines open so you still have a good chance to get your Bible question on the program. We’d love to hear from you. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Ross: And my name is Jean Ross. Good evening Pastor Doug Batchelor and listening friends. It is always a privilege and a joy to open the word of God together. Dear Father we pray that your Holy Spirit will be with us as we open up the Bible. We recognize that your word is indeed inspired by your Spirit. And we know that when we open up the Bible we need the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us understanding. So be with Pastor Doug and myself as we take the questions. And be with those who call and those who listen. For his we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Doug: Amen.
Pastor Ross: You started the program talking about Simon Bolivar the great liberator of South America. What is the story where he was offered this powerful position, but he chose rather to free slave; instead of taking all the power to himself.
Pastor Doug: Yes he refused not only the position, but the possessions.
Pastor Ross: That’s right.
Pastor Doug: In order to liberate others and he is equated with something of the George Washington of South America. You know it is a sad story in one sense that his goal was to do in South America what had just happened in North America with the Revolution and the United States being formed. It is though he died in his late forties being somewhat of a failure even though he had done so much to free the country because the various Nations would not come together. But, it tells something about his passion for freedom.
It made me think of Jesus who His central mission was to come and to liberate. The Bible story is a story of God setting a nation of slaves free. And Jesus when He started His ministry he stood up in His hometown church and read from the prophet Isaiah and said, Chapter 61:1 and Jesus said quoting Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach a good tidings to the poor. He sent me to heal the broken hearted and to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to those who are bound. Jesus came to free us not only to give us freedom that we will enjoy in heaven from that kind of outward oppression, but to free people from the shackles of the cords of sin. I posed the question friends you who are listening are you free? Some people think that Jesus came to just save us in our sin, but the bible doesn’t teach that. He came to save us from the chains that bind us. Before the Lord came into my heart I was shackled to smoking, drugs and drinking and bad speaking and a whole litany of things and God broke the chains. He can do this for you friends and maybe you would like to know more about how I can experience the freedom that Jesus came to provide. We have a free offer that will tell you more about how you can be free.
Pastor Ross: Absolutely. Jesus said if the Son sets you free; you shall be free indeed. Our offer is a little booklet written by Pastor Doug himself. It is entitled “Tips for Resisting Temptation”. And it is yours and all you need to do is call the resource number 1-800-835-6747 and ask for the booklet. Our free gift offer this evening is “Tips for Resisting Temptation” written by Pastor Doug.
Well we know there are some exciting things happening as far as the discussion around Mary and the movie that is coming out in a week or so two weeks on the Da Vinci Code. We have a whole website dedicated to sharing the truth about a lovely story of Mary and how she found salvation in Jesus and the truth as portrayed in the Bible. Pastor Doug; tell us a little bit about that.
Pastor Doug: Yes and I think our friends have no doubt heard some of the –it’s sort of a tsunami of attention that this book and movie has generated not only in the Christian, but also in the secular world and it does represent something of a battle of those who believe in the Divinity of Christ and the Bible and the secular world. The Da Vinci Code is sort of a blast right at the heart of the Bible that says Jesus was basically a common man with all of the passions of a common man and he fulfilled those passions and He had an affair with Mary. They had a child and that the New Testament is a big cover up of the proper role, of women. And that the real Shekinah in the temple is sex and that is what they say. I mean it is just ridiculous what they say. The premise of the book is surrounded with trappings of truth to make the lie more palatable.
Pastor Ross: Now this of course is not a new thing although we have this new emphasis on it. But, this whole idea had been around for awhile.
Pastor Doug: Yes it is a resurrection of pagan teachings. The idea of Jesus having a relationship with Mary was raised back in the time when Jesus Christ superstar was on the stage and the Last Temptation of Christ and many other remakes of that same scenario. But, I was always troubled by the way the secular world was first of all undermining the purity of Christ and destroying one of the most unique characters in the New Testament which is Mary. And God in His sacred writings uses the life of Mary to convey that she is a microcosm of the church and the whole gospel and plan of salvation. Seven times she is at the feet of Jesus. And each one of those separate times it represents something.
People are really missing this and we have written a book that we think is a great witnessing tool. First of all it will inspire you. And it is a witnessing tool that you can give to your friends that may have read the Da Vinci Code or are going to attend this film. If you would like to know more about that it is something that we just published. It is a full length book and we cannot give it away for free, but they’re very reasonable and if you buy them in quantity it is under one dollar. When you want to more about that just go to “Mary Truth dot com” and you’ll find out more about the book. It’s called “The Truth about Mary Magdalene” the woman at Jesus’ feet “Mary Truth dot com” and you will find out more information.
Pastor Ross: It is also at the “Amazing Facts” website if they go there and want to learn more.
Pastor Doug: Yes at the “Amazing Facts” website you will find it there, too.
Pastor Ross: Okay very good. If you do have any internet questions you are welcome to send us an email. Just go to the “Amazing Facts” website and click on the “Bible Answers Live” link and you can post your question right there. Alright we have a new station that is joining us tonight KETL 100.5 Republic, Washington. So if there is anyone listening from that station welcome and glad you are a part of the program? Before we go to our phone lines we’re beginning with some internet questions and here is our first one tonight.
Question: What advice can you give me on choosing the right associates to spend time with?
Pastor Doug: That’s a good question. The Bible does tell us that we are influenced b our environment and the people that we associate with. Of course Psalm 1; the first Psalms of David talks about the blessing of a man who does not sit in the seat of the scornful or walk in the way of sinners. Then you can also go to Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men will be wise but the companions of fools will be destroyed.” So there are a number of verses like this that teach us basically the same principles; that the ones that we hang around with will have an influence on us. And so there are a few for you and I just found one more as I was thinking about it. Psalms 119:63 “I am a companion of all them that fear me. And of them that keep my precepts.” So being a companion to others and as iron sharpens iron you’ll encourage each other’s faith.
Pastor Ross: There is an interesting balance there isn’t there? On one hand we want to be friends with those who are not on the same footing to try to be appositive witness to them, but there is a difference between hanging around with them perhaps for the wrong reason. It can actually be detrimental to our faith.
Pastor Doug: We have friends that we soak from and they should be Godly friends and then we have friends and associates that we witness to. And one is a relationship where we nurture one another and those you want to be Christian friends because you’re right in their influence. The other ones are the ones you know you are consciously influencing for God. And that’s the balance for being in the world without letting the world being in us.
Question: Is there any indication from Scripture that Eve and Adam will be among the redeemed in heaven?
Pastor Doug: Yes we have reason to believe that when God established the sacrificial system and the very fact He gave them coats of skin was the very point He inaugurated the sacrificial system and they accepted the robes He gave them and they are called tunics in the Bible meaning they accepted the righteousness of the coming Messiah. And Eve named her son Cain which man from God or man of God and they were looking for the coming Messiah and then it tells us that Adam and his sons with Seth were called the sons of God and Cain and his descendents were called the sons of men. So I think there is evidence we will see them in the resurrection.
Pastor Ross: And of course Adam is traced back all the way to the genealogy of Jesus and traced all the way back through Matthew.
Pastor Doug: That’s right and a good point.
Pastor Ross: Pastor Doug you can just imagine the meeting between Adam and the second Adam Jesus on that great day when Jesus comes.
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Pastor Ross: You can just imagine how great that will be. Let’s go to our phone lines. Our first caller is Hector listening on the internet welcome to the program Hector your question?
Hector: Yes let me congratulate you with what happened with 3ABN and it is amazing.
Pastor Doug: Apparently you tuned in for the Ten Commandments weekend.
Hector: Absolutely. That was unbelievable.
Pastor Doug: Well praise the Lord that was exciting. We were able to see most of it, but not all of it because we were doing some of the broadcasting.
Hector: Pastor my question is on the Father and it is a very initial question. I just came out of jail and I just want to follow the Lord directly. If on the Sabbath I have intimacy with my wife am I breaking the Sabbath?
Pastor Doug: That’s good question and it is a delicate one, but a practical one. I s there anything in the fourth commandment that says marital intimacy would be inappropriate? Let me just walk you through this in a practical way. God made everything in six days the last thing God made and I always like to remind people that God made things in order of their complexity and value; He made man last or He made woman last and she is the most complex that is for sure. But, then the last thing God says to them at the end of the sixth day He says be fruitful and multiple and that first day is in effect their honeymoon. So it would be very strange for God to say I am blessing you be fruitful, here is your wife to love and to cherish and say now this is a holy day; so don’t touch.
There is nothing unholy about sex until after sin entered the world. I mean the devil did not invent it; God did. And there are certain things that are pleasant for instance we need to eat. It is very natural to eat it is pleasurable to eat. But, a person might choose not to eat if they are fasting. Paul says that the husband and wife might choose collectively not to come together during a time of fast, but don’t wait too long. So it is in the same category here Biblically. It says you should not do labor and it is talking about your occupation and so I don’t see anything in there that teaches marital intimacy would be a sin.
Hector: Okay.
Pastor Doug: Now if I am wrong Lord forgive me, but I just don’t see it in the word.
Hector: Oh okay. Okay.
Pastor Doug: No wait one more thing. It popped into my mind. When the children of Israel were going to get the Ten Commandments just before that God said to wash their cloths and prepare to meet the Lord. He said and come not near your wives. Now that was a time of fasting preparing to receive the laws. So that was one of those unique exceptions. But, it doesn’t even tell us what day of the week that was. Do you see what I am saying?
Hector: Umm-hmm.
Pastor Doug: So hopefully that helps a little bit.
Hector: Okay I feel better now. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Thank you and good question.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Jody listening on KFIA in Sacramento, California welcome to the program Jody.
Jody: Thank you. I have a little bit of confusion between two verses.
Pastor Doug: Okay.
Jody: Matthew 24: 14 and it says that when the gospel is preached throughout the world which is being done even as we speak then the end will come.
Pastor Doug: Right.
Jody: Then in 2 Thessalonians 2: 3 it says “Let no man deceive you by any means. For that day will not come except there be a falling away first and the man of sin is revealed.” And I’m assuming that means the Anti-Christ.
Pastor Doug: Yes. So you see a conflict between these two verses?
Jody: Yes I do.
Pastor Doug: Well when Jesus says in Matthew 24: 14 the gospel will be preached in all the world; He says for a witness to all Nations. That doesn’t mean that all Nations will accept it. They will all have an opportunity to accept or reject. In 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 where it talks about there being a falling away that falling away that is coming is a falling away in the church. Many that take the name of Christ will say Lord, Lord, but they are not following His word. Those two things happen at the same time. The gospel is going to all the world and on the other hand there is a falling away in the church. That happened when Jesus came the first time. The Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles at Pentecost and the Jewish nation was God’s people the organized church and as a nation they were plugging their ears and rejecting the message so you are going to see a repeat of that in the last days.
Jody: Okay and in verse 4 where it says he will sit in the temple of God.
Pastor Doug: Showing himself to be he is god?
Jody: Right.
Pastor Doug: Well think about this for a second. Jesus said destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up and they thought He was talking about the physical temple, but He was talking about what?
Jody: Our body?
Pastor Doug: And then Paul says to the church what don’t you know that ye, not just your body physically, but he says to the church collectively, ye are the temple of God. Peter says that we are living stones in the household of God. And Ephesians tells us we are built up into a holy habitation. I think I may have just switched Peter and Ephesians, but they both are teaching that there is a spiritual temple. This Anti-Christ power sits as the head of God’s church saying I am God. People often misunderstand and believe that the Jewish temple is going to be rebuilt, but there is nothing in the New Testament that tells us that. This is speaking of the church; the spiritual temple that Christ established and he puts himself in the place of Christ.
Jody: Okay. Thank you very, very much. Oh Pastor Doug I wanted to say something and I hope it is okay. I have two of your lessons the “Millennium” and “The Prophecy Code” on DVD and I would urge everyone who is listening to you if they have any interest in Bible prophecy at al they should have one or both of these.
Pastor Doug: Well thank you so much Jody for the endorsement. I owe you. That’s very kind of you and God bless and are you aware that I wrote the book with Steve Oberth he had questions on Israel in this verse and I had forgotten in the book “Spiritual Israel” and we go into depth explaining this big misunderstanding about the role of the temple in Israel in the last days and we will send you a free copy of that book “Spiritual Israel” Jody if you call the resource number.
Pastor Ross: Let me give you the resource number Jody. It is 1-800-835-6747 and the book is entitled Pastor Doug?
Pastor Doug: Spiritual Israel.
Pastor Ross: Spiritual Israel. You can probably also get that from the “Amazing Facts” website.
Pastor Doug: Absolutely.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Lori calling from Walla Walla, Washington listening on KLRF welcome to the program Lori.
Lori: Thank you. My question was I don’t remember what the verse was, but my friend showed me it says sin is a prince of law and I was just wondering if you could explain that to me.
Pastor Doug: Well what makes sin, sin is the law. In other words where there is no law; there is not sin Paul says. Right. So if there is no sin without law what gives sin strength is the law. In other words what gives a policeman the right to pull me over when I am speeding is the sign on the road that says 65 maximum. That law gives him strength to penalize me. So the strength of sin that’s the law is what Paul was saying. Is that what you understand Pastor?
Pastor Ross: Yes it is the sting of death…
Pastor Doug: Give us the whole verse.
Pastor Ross: 1 Corinthians 15: 55 and if you look back in verse 54 it kind of gives you the context of that. “Oh death where is thy sting? Oh grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law.” Just the way you explained it.
Pastor Doug: Penalty for breaking the law is death.
Pastor Ross: That’s right and transgression of the law is sin.
Pastor Doug: Did that help a little Lori?
Lori: Yes that is what I was thinking it was yes, but I just wanted to make sure my thinking was right in it.
Pastor Doug: Now we have a lesson we will send you and it is a little booklet called “Does God’s Grace Blot out His Law?” and it talks about the relationship between the law and sin and grace. It’s a masterpiece by Joe Crews and if you’d like a free copy just ask for it.
Pastor Ross: Let me give you the resource number. 1-800-835-6747.You also need to remember that the Bible says and Paul says the Lord is Holy, just and good.
Pastor Doug: The law is the mirror that shows us our sin so it’s neutral it is not responsible. It’s just showing us the problem.
Pastor Ross: Great. Our next caller is Ron listening in California on the internet welcome to the program.
Ron: Hi thanks for taking my call and I am having a difference with my in-laws and we’re trying to use the Bible as a point of arbitration. The reason I am calling is I compete in athletics. I play on a softball team with my church and my son plays in soccer. And this debate is about Christians competing in sports. You know playing sports to win keeping score and they are telling me as a Christian I shouldn’t do that and they have no Scriptural reference to back up their claim. I am curious and it’s not I want to win the argument I just want to agree with Scripture so if you would help me with that.
Pastor Doug: Well there are two sets of statements that are conflicting in the Bible that can be construed as conflicting. It is controversial subject and Jesus talks about humility. And He talks about pride and it is often true in competitive sports that one will boast and gloats over the loser and it smacks of that better than. And there are other verses where Paul talks about running a race and boxing the air and running to win the prize and obviously if you are running in a race you are not running to lose. You want to win or do the best you possibly can do. I know we’re probably not a good example, but Pastor Ross and I play racket ball. We’re friends and we do keep score, but I think a lot of it had to do with the attitude that if you are doing it for the exercise and the fellowship; if you’re doing it to be better than or to gloat then that’s the wrong attitude and a Christian shouldn’t support that. So you know what happens and I need to be fair Ron what sometimes happens is even churches the two churches get so worked up during the game you wouldn’t even know they are Christians. Do you know what I Am saying?
Ron: Right so like I was saying is it still okay for me as a believer to play in a sport and to win, but win gracefully and be humble. It is okay to go out and play a sport and win, but if we don’t win then God still gets the glory whether w win or lose, right?
Pastor Doug: Well yes that’s what should be the attitude, but this is one of those areas where I think a person needs to examine their heart. There are some things that might not be right for some people because the Bible says that anything that is not of faith is sin. Probably all of the verses I mean Biblical verses. Unless there is something you can think of Pastor Ross.
Pastor Ross: Right well that’s all an interesting subject. You have heard of football players or basketball players that pray before the game asking God to give them the edge.
Pastor Doug: Well I have also seen a boxer get down and pray and cross themselves before they get up and try to knock the other guy out so. You always wonder if there is a contradiction there.
[Laughter]
Pastor Doug: Well anyway I hope that helps a little Ron. And we may have just made things worse. Do we have time for one more?
Pastor Ross: I don’t know I am looking there; 2 minutes, yes, let’s go. Carolyn welcome to the program. She is listening from Port Arthur, Florida. Your question?
Carolyn: Hi how are you this evening?
Pastor Doug: Good and we only have couple of minutes before our break.
Carolyn: Okay my question is about divorce and remarriage. My husband and I both have previous marriages and we both committed adultery in those marriages. My husband and I now we have been married for four years we have been truthful to each other and have been keeping the Sabbath and we also went through your DVDs Pastor Batchelor on the Millennium of Prophecy and we just want to know what the Bible says about our situation?
Pastor Doug: Alright that’s a good question. Well you have already admitted that the context of your past was inappropriate. Question is what do you do now? King David the Bible tells us had the wrong relationship with Bathsheba they got off to the wrong start. And after they repented and had suffered for their sin God told David to comfort his wife Bathsheba and she remained his wife for the rest of his life even though they did everything the wrong way. So when Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well her past marital life was scrambled, but He met her where she was at and I am sure se either went home and kicked out the man she was living with or married him, but God sort of meets us where we’re at. The question is; is it the unpardonable sin? And obviously it is not and the Bible doesn’t say that.
We are going to take break very quicly friends and have some important announcements. Don’t go away questions are coming back.
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]
Pastor Doug: Welcome back and for our friends who may have just tuned I this is “Bible Answers Live” we are very thankful for that you have chosen to join the program. And if you have a Bible question you can call us at 1-800-GOD-SAYS that’s 1-800-463-7297. My name is Doug Batchelor.
Pastor Ross: And my name is Jean Ross. Pastor Doug there is something very exciting coming up December 15th through December the 23rd. It is called a map seminar and you are going to be doing a live presentation. Is it ten meetings in all that you’ll be doing from Michigan?
Pastor Doug: Exactly from Andrews University in Michigan. We had one of our best evangelistic events about ten years ago when I worked with Dwight Nelson who has been a senior Pastor there for probably twenty years now. And he was also a speaker for the “Net ’98 international” satellite broadcast and I spoke for “Net ’99” and now we are going to be working together again for sort of a ten year anniversary. We are having ten meetings dealing with the most amazing prophecies in the Bible. We’d like to encourage our friends virtually anywhere in the world you can participate because this is a televised event and it is also something you can just hear on audio on the radio if you’d like. Go simply to “Map Seminar dot com” you can even type in “Most Amazing Prophecies dot com” and that will take you there. If you would like to know more; the dates for this event are September 15th through the 23rd this year and it is going to be a live, global prophecy seminar. There will be materials that go along with it to enhance your study and you don’t want to miss this and you’ll want to tell your friends. It will be broadcast on three angels broadcasting as well as a number of other networks. I just wanted to mention that to you so we can help build the momentum as the day approaches.
Pastor Ross: It is a little ways a way, but I am sure it will be soon enough.
Pastor Doug: If you want your church to do this and participate go to the website and register now because you want to get your materials and handbills.
Pastor Ross: That’s right because there are materials that Amazing Facts will send out to the churches. It is not only for churches though home sites can register also.
Pastor Doug: Bring your friends and neighbors to your home for a Bible study and watch the Lord change lives.
Pastor Ross: It is a great opportunity. Our next caller is Kevin calling from New York, New York welcome to the program Kevin.
Kevin: Hi how are you doing?
Pastor Ross: Good your question?
Kevin: I have a question about Revelation in Chapter 22: 16 when Jesus describes himself as the bright and morning star. Also how is that going to play with Isaiah Chapter 14:12 I guess Isaiah is talking about Lucifer falling out of the heavens and he also referred to him as the morning star as well? So I would like to know; what is the message from both of them?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all light you will find some symbols in the Bible that can be used two ways. The devil is called a roaring lion. He goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour because there is an aspect within the devil where he uses deception and stealth. But Jesus is sometimes called the lion of the tribe of Judah in Revelation because of His strength and His majesty. Well Lucifer before he fell was called the bright and morning star. And Jesus is called the son of the morning. And that just means He was the bright shining one. But, Jesus His title that you find there in Revelation 22 reminds me of where Peter talks about the daystar that grows brighter and brighter like the light of the Lord and...
Pastor Ross: 2 Peter Chapter 1: 19 is what you are referring to.
Pastor Doug: …why don’t you read that?
Pastor Ross: “We also have a more sure word of prophecy wherein you do well to take heed; even as a light that shines into a dark place and the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.” Now the day star there would be in reference to Jesus as the bright and morning star.
Pastor Doug: And you also find that in Revelation 2: 8 “I will give him the morning star.” So in Revelation 22: 16 it is calling Him the bright and morning star; the offspring of David in Revelation 2: 28 Jesus says “To him who overcomes I will give him the morning star.” So it is obviously a symbol talking about the light of truth. Okay?
Kevin: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Alright and thank you.
Pastor Ross: You know Pastor Doug it is interesting that there are a lot of symbols we are seeing in regard to Lucifer and Satan and Jesus says He saw Lucifer falling like lightening from heaven and Jesus says that His second coming will be like lightening from the east and travels to the west. And then of course you have the lion and the devil the roaring lion and Jesus the lion of the tribe of David. So there are some interesting similarities, but yet they are total contrasts when you look at the character of Jesus and the character of the devil.
Alright our next caller is Carolyn calling from Pine Grove, California. Welcome to the program Carolyn your question?
Carolyn: Yes Pastor I have a question on Isaiah 65: verses 17 through 25. It is talking about the new earth and new heaven. But then verse 20 just doesn’t seem to fit in there because it talks about death and about sinners.
Pastor Doug: Well let me read this for our friends. First of all you are right this is a prophecy and Isaiah is talking about heaven and I want to read verse 19 also it says “I will rejoice in Jerusalem enjoying my people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard…” Now notice that “no longer be heard” “…nor the voice of crying. No longer shall an infant form there live, but a few days…” in other words a miscarriage “…nor an old man who is not fulfilled his days. For the child will die 100 years old.” Now wait a second if a child dies how can it say there will be no more the voice of weeping? The word die there is not a very good translation in the King James. It means cease. The child will cease to be a child at 100 years old. Now what I want to do Carolyn is point you back to the Old Testament in the book of Genesis when you read about the Patriarchs sometimes they didn’t get married until they were seventy years old and didn’t have their first child until they were over 100. So obviously before the flood people lived longer and they aged more slowly they matured more slowly. And so God is going to take us back to the original growth schedule where a child doesn’t even cease to be a child until they are 100. And so when it says the child will die at 100 years old what it means is a child will stop being a child at 100 years old. That is a place where the King James translators have not done their best.
Carolyn: Okay, but what does it mean when it says that the sinner being 100 years old will be a curse because I thought there won’t be sinners in heaven.
Pastor Doug: Well that means the word a “curse” means their name is in infamy. Even after 100 years there is no redemption for them. The child is still growing up and enjoying eternity before them, but even after 100 years there is no hope for the sinner who is cursed. And that goes to the last verses in Isaiah 66:24 which talks about going forth and looking upon the carcasses of them that have transgressed against me.
And I am going here real quickly Isaiah 66: 24 “For their worm will not die, neither shall the fire will not be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” If you also think about in Daniel Chapter 12 where it says that there’s a resurrection of the righteous and then it talks about the resurrection of damnation. The wicked are the accursed.
Carolyn: Okay.
Pastor Doug: I am actually going to go to Daniel 12: 2 here I think. I think I misquoted that. Daniel 12:2 “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Yes there we go Daniel 12:2 and even after 100 years they will still be in contempt. So the wicked are raised and judged and their contempt is everlasting.
Carolyn: Okay that is good and that explains it very well.
Pastor Doug: Okay good and by the way we have a lesson that talks about the punishment of the wicked. And it is called “Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?” It is a very popular lesson and if anyone out there has questions about hell and when and how long it is going to burn; you’ll enjoy that study.
Pastor Ross: The lesson is called “Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?’ and you can call this resource number 1-800-835-6747. Steve is listening on a cell phone and is in Farmville, Virginia. Welcome to the program Steve.
Steve: Hello how are you doing?
Pastor Ross: Good and your question?
Steve: I have a question about the prophecy of Daniel where it mentions the 1260 years, the 1290, the 1230 my question is; are these prophecies dual prophecies? Will they happen again?
Pastor Doug: Well we already know if you have read Daniel Chapter 7 and Revelation Chapter there are 1260 years that you read about in Daniel Chapter 12 that is the same 3 and ½ periods that we find in many times in the Bible that represents a period of apostasy and rejection. During the Dark Ages there were 3 and ½ prophetic years meaning 1260 years when the word of God was clothed in sackcloth. But, some heave wondered if these three times periods in the book of Daniel—and for our friends that might be driving down the road—in Daniel Chapter 12 you’ve got more time prophecies than any other book in the Bible.
Three different time prophecies are given. One is 1260 days, one is 1290 and one is 1335. And our caller Steve is asking is it possible there is still a future application for these prophecies. Is that what you are inquiring or a dual application?
Steve: Yes exactly.
Pastor Doug: You know I believe there may be. And I don’t claim to have all of the answers, but I think there can be a future application. And the reason for that is that I find other examples in the Bible where some prophecies had a dual application. An example would be that when Jesus talked about the second coming He talked about Jerusalem being surrounded by an army and those being in Judea fleeing to the mountains. But, there’s also an abomination of desolation in the last days when God’s people have to flee into the mountains. And He uses the same sentence to cover the same time period. So we already know there is the historic interpretation of Daniel, but there may still be a future—I don’t want to limit God—there may be a future fulfillment.
Pastor Ross: You know what is interesting about Daniel 12 is it begins by saying “And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” And that is future. And then we have these time prophecies
Pastor Doug: And these last prophecies—pardon me; I interrupted you?
Pastor Ross: No I was just going to say that definitely with the historical interpretation there. Now you have the 508 which goes through to the 1798, but it is very possible like you said that there is that dual application of something that is in the future.
Pastor Doug: Yes and the reasons are as you stated Daniel 12 begins with the resurrection and Michael standing up; no question that is in the future. And that is the resurrection of the just, so it starts and ends with the end of time. But, we don’t want to teach that until the Lord sheds more light on it. I hope this helped Steve.
Steve: It did. Are there any Biblical references to the future applications?
Pastor Doug: Are there Biblical references to the future applications for Daniel?
Steve: Yes sir.
Pastor Doug: Right here in the book let me give you verse 4 “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Well the time of the end; we’re obviously living in the time of the end; but, the end, “end” would be the day of the Lord.
Steve: Yes.
Pastor Ross: Then of course you have Matthew 24 where Jesus speaks of events to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and then clearly connected with final events just before the second coming.
Pastor Doug: Jesus quotes Daniel Chapter 12 talking about the abomination that makes desolate whoever reads let him understand. So I do think there is something still in the future. I hope that helps Steve.
Pastor Ross: Thanks for your call Steve. Our next caller is Lauren listening from Tampa, Florida. Welcome to the program.
Lauren: Hello thank you I am good.
Pastor Doug: Now get real close to your phone we are in California and you are in Florida.
Lauren: Yes long ways got to shout. My question is; did Satan know that Jesus’ life and death on the cross bring him defeat? If he did why did he work so hard through the Pharisees and all of the Jewish leaders to kill Him or did he just realize that God cannot be tempted and he knew he was defeated and he just wanted Him to die the worst possible death at that time the worst? And I am just calling to see if I am right and maybe you can add something to that.
Pastor Doug: That’s a good question and I don’t think—you know sin makes you do dumb things. And even during the millennium Satan has this delusion that he can attack the city of God and actually win fighting against God. How the creation thinks he can out box the creator is a mystery to me. But, the devil somehow gets confused and I am not sure how the devil—I think he may have thought he could have somehow kept Jesus in the grave. That’s why he tried to get 100 soldiers to guard the tomb. And I think the devil was more interested in Christ sinning before he died than dying. He was hoping that He would fail by sinning and then if He sinned He couldn’t die for our sins. And so up to the last moment he is trying to get Jesus to become discouraged, to give up and do something that would sin. And did you notice the devil did not kill Christ; Jesus did not die from the devil spearing Him in the heart Jesus gave up the ghost. He died at the time of His choosing. He said Father into your hands I commend my Spirit. He said no man takes my life. And I think the devil would have kept Him alive as long as possible to extract as much suffering as possible. But, once He did die he wanted to keep Him that way. So who knows exactly what is going on in the devil’s head? He doesn’t make sense or he wouldn’t have rebelled.
Pastor Ross: It seems that the devil has reached such a point of sin that it is almost a type of insanity. He knows he is going to be destroyed, but he just has no way he can stop it.
Pastor Doug: Pride makes you do dumb things. I hope that helps a little Lauren.
Lauren: Yes it did. Thank you.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Katherine calling from Garden Grove, California. Welcome to the program Katherine. Your question.
Katherine: Hi. I have a verse in the Bible it says about hot or cold, lukewarm.
Pastor Ross: Are you talking about Revelation 3?
Katherine: Yes. I think it says He will spew you out of His mouth. Exactly what do they mean by that?
Pastor Doug: Good question Revelation 3: 16 says “So then because thou art neither hot nor cold, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” And this is his letter to the church of Laodicea. The Lord is not saying cold or hot means saved or lost because Jesus would never say that I wish you were lost. Cold means a person who is repentant, sorry; they are coming to the Lord. God can work with them because they know their weakness. Hot means they are on fire, they are zealous; they are burning with a fervent love. Lukewarm is the condition He can’t work with. That’s where the people think everything is fine, but they think they are rich and increased with goods. And they think that they are saved, but they are indifferent and they are not living the life. They have got the form of Godliness and not the power. And so when He says “spue thee out of my mouth” in Bible times if you boiled water it was usually safe to drink or if it was cold and running it was usually safe. But, the lukewarm, standing water would breed disease and it could make you very sick. So it is like that if someone takes a mouthful of lukewarm water in Bible times; don’t swallow it because it could make you sick. You spit it out. God cannot allow unconverted people into His kingdom because it will contaminate the purity of heaven. They must be spued out. So those that claim to be Christians who are lukewarm will never make it into the kingdom or they must be repenting and allowing God to change them or on fire and serving Him, but there is none of this indifference.
Katherine: Okay alright. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Thank you good question.
Pastor Ross: You know Pastor Doug when you are thirsty you want cold water. And when you are cold you want hot water. But, there is never a time that you want lukewarm water.
Pastor Doug: Too many people want lukewarm water.
Pastor Ross: Absolutely.
Pastor Doug: You made me just check my water here I think I am going to spue it.
[Laughter]
Pastor Ross: It is lukewarm, huh?
Pastor Doug: Yes.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Mariluz I think that is how you say it; calling from Boston, Massachusetts. Welcome to the program and is it Mariluz?
Mariluz: Marylou.
Pastor Ross: Well okay.
Pastor Doug: He is from South Africa they don’t have any Spanish there.
Pastor Ross: We don’t have too many Spanish names there. Your question?
Marylou: I have a quick question. My question was that I was talking to a gentleman the other day and he said that Jesus didn’t eat meats He only ate fish. And I am wondering did Jesus when He was here only eat fish or meat?
Pastor Doug: Well the Bible tells us and we can assume, but it tells us He ate other kinds of meat. But we can assume that He did because He ate the Passover meal with His disciples. You find that in Luke 22 and in John Chapter 13, but when Jesus rose from the dead He specifically asked them children have you any meat and they gave Him some fish and honeycomb and He ate it in front of them. So it is very explicit in the Bible that Jesus did eat fish and he probably did eat lamb and other plain foods or plain meats. But, that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with vegetarianism because the ideal for Adam and Eve and Jesus is the one who made Adam and Eve was a vegetarian diet, right?
Marylou: Yes.
Pastor Doug: But, the Lord was meeting people where they were in their culture. And they were being oppressed by the Romans and I am sure they just had to make do with what they had.
Pastor Ross: Yes I think that is the point they didn’t have as wide a variety of fruits and vegetables that we have today that we can access any time of the year. And I think the point is also important to remember that if it is not wrong it is not a sin.
Pastor Doug: Yes well the Bible tells us that the sin is in eating the unclean foods. The ideal as far as possible is to eat what Adam and Eve ate. Now you’ve got to be careful or I’ll jump on my hobby horse because I am a vegetarian. And I encourage other people to try it if they haven’t, but that is what the Bible says is that Jesus did eat fish and other clean meats.
Marylou: Okay. Thank you.
Pastor Doug: Alright.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Jesse listening from Ohio. Welcome to the program Jesse.
Jesse: How are you?
Pastor Ross: Good and your question?
Jesse: Yes I want to know on the call to [Inaudible] Allah.
Pastor Doug: You know what I think somebody was speaking another language and I don’t know what they were saying. I apologize Jesse you have to speak English or we can’t understand. Next call.
Pastor Ross: Let’s go to Wendy. Wendy is listening from Florida welcome to the program Wendy.
Wendy: Hi.
Pastor Ross: Hi your question?
Wendy: I have a question about Matthew Chapter 10: 32 & 33.
Pastor Doug: Mathew 10: 32 & 33 is that what you said? Okay and your question?
Wendy: Yes. I wanted to know where it says if you confess me before men I will confess you before my Father which is in Heaven or whoever shall deny me before men; he will also be denied before my Father which art in Heaven. My question is how can you talk to your co workers about Jesus love that He wants to save them? And even to your families. You know there are Christians, but how can you talk to them about the love of Jesus?
Pastor Doug: Well first of all I think Jesus in this verse is alluding to the experience of Job. Because in the life of Job he was holy he confessed the Lord. In heaven God is confessing the name of Job to the devil and before His angels. So God does kind of brag on His children that are faithful here on earth. And so He is saying look I am confessing your name before these heavenly agents and when you are faithful to me on earth don’t be ashamed of me. And the way that we confess His name is God will open an opportunity to talk to your family and talk to your co workers and let them know that you believe in Jesus and you trust in Him. Don’t be ashamed they might mock you, but Jesus said rejoice when that happens and be exceedingly glad. And that means being a witness when He gives you an opportunity. That might mean speaking a word, being a witness with your life. You might share literature with people and certainly pray for them.
Wendy: Oh so like when they have birthdays I can give them birthday presents they like.
Pastor Doug: Yes give them spiritual card or the gift can have some spiritual value to it.
Wendy: Okay thank you very much.
Pastor Ross: If we pray and ask the Lord for an opportunity to share our faith He will bring people into our path. The conversation will move in that direction or the Holy Spirit will give us an opportunity.
Pastor Doug: The Lord says the harvest is great and the laborers are few and if you’re willing to witness He will give you an opportunity.
Pastor Ross: Our next caller is Joseph listening from New York, New York. Welcome to the program
Joseph: Hello how are you? I would just like to know there is this section in Genesis and I think it is Genesis 2 where at the tree of good and evil. I am sorry at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is where the serpent posed a question to Eve as you shall be as God so then there is a section in Psalms that is reminiscent of that where it says you are as gods. So can you explain from your standpoint how those two interact?
Pastor Doug: Right. I am going to try to give you a quick answer before we run out of time. The verse is Psalms 82: 6 the Lord said “Have I said ye are gods? All of you are the children of the Most High.” The word gods there is in a small “g”. And God made man in His image because man was given dominion of the world as God has dominion over the universe and man would be given the ability to procreate within his own image the same way that God creates in His image. And so man in many ways mirrored the greatness of God in this world and so man was to be something of the god of this world. But what Lucifer was offering; he said you will be like the God of the Universe. Because they already were gods of this world so to speak when God made them, but Lucifer is saying oh no, you are settling for too little you will be like God of almighty if you will eat this forbidden fruit. And so that was a deception and a sin wanting to have God’s position. Does that make sense Joseph?
Joseph: Yes. There is something seems to be amiss there having to do like with enlightenment because there is this whole concept of enlightenment surrounding that you shall be as gods.
Pastor Doug: Well God does He calls Adam the son of God. Those who believe in the Lord are referred to as the sons of God. And when we have the Spirit of God we are His sons, but this new age teaching that we become as god. That is not a Biblical teaching. I apologize Joseph we have reached the end of the show, but before the complete shutdown off the air friends we want to thank you for tuning in. I want to remind you if you missed it earlier; we have an excellent witnessing tool to deal with the upcoming Da Vinci Code movie and the book is a book by yours truly “The Truth about Mary Magdalene” and that is the central teaching of this Da Vinci Code deception. Just go to “Mary Truth dot com” also you can look at the map Meetings coming up. Go to “Map seminar dot com”. And learn more and about that can be found at “Amazing Facts dot com”. Keep us in your prayers, we hope you stand with us financially and remember it is all about Jesus the TRUTH who will set you free.
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